District LCIF Co-Chairs PDG Mike Tobin & PDG Lary Garrison -October 2025
District LCIF Co-Chair Mike Tobin – October 2025
As humanitarians, we respond whenever and wherever the need arises. Grants from our global foundation enhance our service. I am proud to report that District 37 has one grant application in progress and another in the works. Both are matching grants to help their local food banks. Currently the LCIF Board of Trustees have approved 114 grants, totaling more than US$9.3 Million in this Lionistic year. What could you do for your community with that kind of money? All you have to do is find the need and apply.
This month we recognize Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and the way Lions, Leos and others, empowered by LCIF funding, raise awareness, promote early detection and support care. What do you think your community needs are towards this awareness? Just look – you might be surprised what you find. Then when you find the need, apply for the grant. The District can have up to seven grants at the same time.
Yours in Lionism,
PDG Mike Tobin – PO Box 408, Sunburst MT 59482, 406-450-2780, [email protected]
PDG Lary Garrison , 703 Conway St., Billings, MT 59105, 406-855-6997, [email protected]
By LCIF Coordinators
Plusoptix – Lion David Falcon – October 2025
District 37 PlusOptix Update
PlusOptix screening totals for school year September 2025 to June 2026:
3,963 screened with 541 refers.
Have a GREAT School Year!
Lion David Falcon, District 37 PlusOptix Chair
314 9th St. W., Kalispell, MT 59901; C. 406-253-1726: [email protected]
By PlustOptix CoordinatorDistrict Treasurer – IRS Filing Reminder
If your Lions club’s fiscal year ended on June 30, 2025, it is now time to prepare and submit the appropriate IRS paperwork. The filing requirements depend on your club’s gross receipts and total assets. Clubs with annual gross receipts of less than $50,000 are only required to submit the Form 990-N, commonly called the e-Postcard. Clubs whose receipts are greater than $50,000 but remain below $200,000, and whose total assets are less than $500,000, have the option of filing either Form 990-EZ or Form 990. Any club with receipts of $200,000 or more, or assets of $500,000 or more, must file the full Form 990. If your club operates an affiliated foundation that is a separate legal entity, that foundation must also file its own IRS return.
By Lion Steve Dogiakos
District Marketing-Daily Facebook Posts-Mental Health Week of Service
From the District Governor’s Desk
Daily Facebook Posts for Mental Health Week of Service
Day 1 – Saturday, Oct 4
It’s here! Lions’ Mental Health & Well-Being Week of Service kicks off today! Let’s spread kindness and connection all week long. Today’s challenge: Call or text someone you haven’t spoken to in a while — just to say hello. #MontanaLions #LionsServe #MentalHealthMatters
Day 2 – Sunday, Oct 5
Self-care Sunday! Remember, caring for yourself is just as important as serving others. Take a walk, read a good book, or spend time outdoors. Share your favorite self-care activity in the comments! . #LionsCare #MentalWellness #MontanaLions
Day 3 – Monday, Oct 6
Kindness Monday! Write a thank-you note or leave a positive sticky note somewhere for someone to find. Little acts make a big difference. Clubs: Post photos of your members leaving kindness notes around town! #KindnessMatters #MontanaLions
Day 4 – Tuesday, Oct 7
Today, let’s support our youth! Encourage kindness in schools by starting a “Kindness Wall” or simply by telling a student you’re proud of them. Share photos if your club partners with schools this week! #FutureLions #MentalHealthAwareness
Day 5 – Wednesday, Oct 8
Today’s focus: Senior Outreach! Visit a nursing home, assisted living, or a senior neighbor. A smile and conversation can brighten someone’s whole week. Post a picture of your club visiting seniors or drop a heart if you reached out individually. #LionsServe #MontanaLions
Day 6 – Thursday, Oct 9
Wellness Thursday! Host or attend a wellness event — yoga, a nature walk, or a healthy cooking demo. Share what you’re doing for your body and mind today! #HealthyLions #MentalHealthWeek
Day 7 – Friday, Oct 10
World Mental Health Day
Today is a global reminder that mental health matters for all of us. Share one resource in your community that supports mental health — counseling, hotlines, or support groups.
#WorldMentalHealthDay #MontanaLions
Day 8 – Saturday, Oct 11
Service Saturday! Get your Lions club together for a group project — clean up a park, cook a meal, host a BBQ, or volunteer at a food bank. Post your club photos and tag #MontanaLions so we can celebrate your service! #WeServe #MentalHealthWeek
Day 9 – Sunday, Oct 12
Wrapping up our Week of Service! Let’s celebrate all the big and small ways we’ve spread kindness, wellness, and hope. Share your favorite highlight of the week below!
#MontanaLions #LionsServe #MentalHealthMatters
By DG Corinna Christensen
2025 District 37 Post Convention Report- Saturday’s Memorial Service
Over the next few months a series of convention reports will be published to share the experiences of many Lions who attended the 2025 District 37 Convention held May 2nd and 3rd in Helena MT. If you have stories or photos to share, please send them via the “Submit Club News” option on the website.
On Saturday afternoon, the Memorial Service honoring those Lions who had passed since the last convention was held. As in past years, the program began with a video of the lions being honored. Following the video, each Lion was honored with a tribute of their service, a red rose given to a club representative, and the lighting of a candle as the bell was rung.
By District ConventionSpecial Notices – October 2025
ALL CLUB SECRETARIES
IF YOU HAVE NOT ENTERED YOUR OFFICERS FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR, PLEASE CALL LION PEGGY TOBIN AT 406-461-4206 OR EMAIL HER AT [email protected] !!
YOU WILL NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE LIONS PORTAL UNTIL THIS ISSUE IS RECTIFIED.
For Club Treasurers
PLEASE NOTE THAT LCI DUES WILL INCREASED JULY 1, 2025. THE INCREASE IS $2/YEAR ($1/6-MONTH BILLING CYCLE) FOR FULL MEMBERSHIPS. NOTE: New members are charged at a prorated amount depending on date joined.
District 37 Club Officer Training Videos
These videos are all accessible via the district website, www.montanalions.org under “Training/Resources”.
- Club President: Trainer PDG Mike Tobin
- Club Secretary: Trainer Lion Peggy Tobin
- Club Treasurer: Trainer PDG Mike Collins
Short videos about how to do specific secretary or treasurer tasks:
Filing your 990-N (e-Postcard) (9 minutes)
With the release of the new LionPortal, we have added links to some of the short videos provided by LCI:
Newsletter Information
Any Lions club member can submit information associated with any type of Lions project or general club information. You can submit Club News ANYTIME! You are also welcome to email your news (hopefully with photo) to: Lion Peggy Tobin at [email protected].
Website Updates
The new “Tri-Fold Generator” is now available for clubs to create their own club brochures using a tri-fold format that your club can use to share your information to prospective new members. You will find it under Training/Resources on the website.
Free Club Websites!
The club-level website is still being offered by Montana District 37 at NO COST! If you don’t already have a domain name, Deanna can provide one for a cost of $20/year after the first year. If you are interested in getting a website for your club, please contact Peggy Tobin at [email protected] or call 406-461-4206.
By Lion Peggy TobinDates to Remember – October 2025
OCTOBER CLUB ANNIVERSARIES
177 years of service!!!
Fort Benton 10/10/2005
Billings 10/20/1921
Joliet 10/22/1971
UPCOMING DISTRICT MEETING DATES
MT Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation – October 18, 2025 @ 9:00am The Kopper Kitchen, Kalispell MT
District Cabinet Meeting – October 18, 2025 @ 11:00am The Kopper Kitchen, Kalispell MT
2026 DISTRICT 37 CONVENTION
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!
APRIL 17-18, 2026, COLUMBIA FALLS, MT
LIONS CLUB INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION SCHEDULE
2026 Hong Kong – Jul 3-7
2027 Washington DC – July 2-6
2028 Singapore -June 23-27
2029 Minneapolis, MN
2030 San Antonio TX
2031 – Helsinki Finland
UPCOMING USA/CANADA FORUMS
USA/CANADA LIONS LEADERSHIP FORUMS CAN BE RELATED TO ALL AREAS OF YOUR LIFE – NOT JUST LIONS
2026 Memphis TN – September 3 – 5
2027 Huntsville, AB – September 16-18
2028 Grand Rapids, MI – To be announced
2029 Shreveport, LA – To be announced
2025 District 37 Post Convention Report – Friday Evening Social
We are continuing our series of the 2025 District 37 convention reports, sharing the experiences of many Lions who attended the 2025 District 37 Convention held May 2nd and 3rd in Helena MT. If you have stories or photos to share, please send them via the “Submit Club News” option on the website.
The 2025 District Convention officially opened Friday evening with live music provided by Lion Jack Berry, President of Helena Lions (keyboard) and Lion Scott Cromwell, Director of Helena Lions (drums). Lion Jack introduced DG Raleigh Peck who welcomed over 100 lions and guests.
Todd Carmichael represented the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind and provided an update on what the school has accomplished since the last convention.
The evening also saw the beginning of the sale of 50/50 tickets by various convention Tail Twisters who worked throughout the weekend.
2025 District 37 Post Convention Report – Live Auction
We are continuing our series of the 2025 District 37 convention reports, sharing the experiences of many Lions who attended the 2025 District 37 Convention held May 2nd and 3rd in Helena MT. If you have stories or photos to share, please send them via the “Submit Club News” option on the website.
The 2025 District Convention live auction was the final event Friday evening. Attending clubs provided some of the auction items and so did many local area businesses! We raised $5,175!! This brought the total revenue of both auctions (silent & live) to $9,015!! Proceeds were aplit evenly between Lions Club Int’l Foundation (LCIF) and and the Montana Lions Sight & Hearing Foundaiton (MLS&HF).
It was noteworthy that a chocolate cake donated by a local bakery raised funds not once, not twice, but THREE TIMES! DGE Corinna Christensen purchased it the first time. Then two more quarters were auctioned off again!
From the Desk of Governor Corinna – September 2025
Montana Lions on the Move: Building on a Strong Foundation
Dear Montana District 37 Lions,
As we journey deeper into this exciting Lions year, I want to thank each of you for the energy, commitment, and heart you bring to service across our great state. From the mountains to the plains, Lions of Montana are living out our shared purpose in meaningful ways every day.
Leadership with Purpose – The Vision of IP A.P. Singh
International President A.P. Singh brings us a powerful message this year:
“Lead to Serve, Serve to Lead.”
His vision encourages long-time Lions to step up to new leadership roles, mentoring and guiding others, while also empowering new members to become leaders early in their service journey. This is how we ensure our Lions Clubs stay strong, relevant, and ready to serve future generations.
The momentum is ours to keep going. Let’s invest in each other’s growth, share the load of leadership, and continue building a legacy of service that will stand the test of time. More information can be found in IP Singh’s Presidential Theme Book.
Recent Comments